2020 Toyota Rav4
Common Problems
Ranked from 299 federal NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
14 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Fuel Gauge Inaccurate
122complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe fuel gauge inaccurately shows the remaining fuel, potentially leading to being stranded.
Related recall: 20V682000
- 2
Lane Departure Assist Malfunction
112complaintsHigh severityOtherThe lane departure assist feature malfunctions, causing the car to change lanes unexpectedly.
- 3
Coolant Bypass Valve Failure
71complaintsHigh severityEngineThe coolant bypass valve malfunctions or fails, causing engine overheating or potential engine seizure.
Related recall: 20V064000
- 4
Battery Failure
49complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe battery fails to start the car after sitting for a short period, leaving the vehicle stranded.
- 5
Electrical Parasitic Battery Drain
45complaintsSafety riskElectricalA parasitic battery drain occurs, leading to low voltage errors and potential vehicle failure.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Battery issues leading to random discharges and dead batteries
37complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe car battery frequently discharges or dies unexpectedly, requiring jump starts and replacement.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Engine Maintenance Required Light
18complaintsMedium severityEngineThe 'Engine Maintenance Required' light frequently appears without clear cause, often related to the coolant bypass valve.
Related recall: 20V064000
- 8
Structural failure of liftgate hinges
9complaintsHigh severityOtherThe liftgate hinges become cracked and pull away, causing the liftgate to malfunction and posing a safety risk.
- 9
Engine Overheating
8complaintsHigh severityEngineEngine overheats due to coolant bypass valve failure, leading to engine maintenance alerts.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V064000
- 10
Steering Power Loss
8complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe power steering system fails, causing loss of power and difficulty in steering.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V373000
- 11
Structural Issues
3complaintsMedium severityOtherDoor hinges and latch mechanisms fail, causing doors to not close properly and posing a safety hazard.
- 12
Brake system failure during emergency situations
2complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe vehicle's brakes fail to stop the car properly during emergency maneuvers, leading to loss of control.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Power Train Issues
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionWire harness failures and hybrid system malfunctions cause issues with the vehicle's power train, requiring costly repairs.
- 14
Steering Issues and Malfunctions
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringIntermittent steering issues and malfunctions, including steering wheel pulling to the sides and inconsistent performance.
Related recall: 20V373000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.